King James Version KJV
English Standard Version ESV
1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
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Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
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older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
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Honor widows who are truly widows.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
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But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
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She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
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but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
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Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
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But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
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Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
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and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
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But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
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and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
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Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
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So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
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For some have already strayed after Satan.
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
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If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
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Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
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For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
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Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
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As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
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In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
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Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
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(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
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The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.
25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
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So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.